This is my primary problem with the show. Or should I say fans of the show?

Everyone assumes they've been building up to something amazing. I think the actuality is that they've been winging it the entire time and making up the solutions to these "mysteries" as they go. Did the writers know what would be in the hatch prior to writing season 2? I highly doubt it. Did they know the origins of the smoke monster? No. (I think the very mechanical sounds of the smoke monster used in the beginning, which have been toned down to some extent in later seasons, demonstrate their change in direction with its origins.)

I've had diehard fans tell me that there are so many things that seem inconsequential when first viewed, but are then explained later, and these things are proof that there is some grand plan they've had in mind from the beginning. However, any good TV writer can take something inconsequential from an earlier episode and turn it into a meaningful plot point with some decent writing.

Again, it's not really a problem I have with the show because it's not realistic to expect TV writers to have an entire 6-season arc planned out from the beginning, and I think they've done a great job overall in keeping interest high and tying current events into past occurrences. Those expecting some grand resolution will most likely be disappointed though.

I'll still be watching with an open mind. They might drop a metaphorical atom bomb and blow our minds, who knows.